Bring back subsidies or face more protests — Osun CSOs dare Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has been urged to return the subsidies on electricity and fuel or face renewed protests from Nigerians.

The Osun State Civil Societies Coalition, the umbrella body of civil society organisations in the state, stated this in a statement released at the end of the official 10-day period for the #EndBadGovernance protest.

The statement signed by its chairman, Waheed Lawal, expressed the coalition’s condemnation of President Tinubu ‘s nationwide broadcast on the protests, stressing that youths will return to the streets and demand good governance.

Lawal urged the federal government to introduce policies that will lessen the burden of economic hardship on Nigerians, not the palliatives it is distributing to the states.

The civil society organisations also demanded the release of the detained protesters.

He said: “The #EndBadGovernance protest ended today. Unfortunately, the president hasn’t addressed all the issues the protesters raised. Mr President spoke without listening to most Nigerians who are lamenting ‘ebi n pawa o’ (we are hungry) every day.

“We demand the reversal of fuel and electricity subsidies removal because it has been hurting the citizens, leading to hyperinflation, a high cost of living and economic hardship in the country.

“We demand the immediate release of all the protesters in police custody, including those arrested during the #EndSARS protest, and provision for adequate compensation for the violations of their human rights.

“The OCSC enjoins the federal government to act swiftly to avoid pushing citizens to their limits.

“We shall organise a bigger, broader and more disciplined movement of the people and youths for another round of protests for a better Nigeria if the President is lackadaisical on the demands of Nigerians.”